28 April 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Mass Grave of 150 Roman Legionaries Discovered in Vienna—First Direct Evidence of Ancient Combat on the Danube Limes

Archaeologists from the Vienna Museum have made a groundbreaking discovery on the outskirts of Vienna, unearthing the remains of approximately 150 soldiers in what has been described as an exceedingly rare find. The skeletal remains were uncovered during construction work to renovate a football pitch in the residential and industrial area of Simmering, with the initial discovery occurring in October.

Following expert analysis, it has been confirmed that the remains date back to the 1st century AD, during the height of the Roman Empire. The excavation revealed 129 individuals initially, but further analysis indicated that the total number of bodies could exceed 150. This mass grave is particularly significant as burials of this nature were uncommon in the European parts of the Roman Empire, where cremation was the prevalent funerary practice until the 3rd century AD.

Kristina Adler-Wölfl, Head of City Archaeology, explained, “As cremation burials were common around 100 AD, body burials were an absolute exception. Finds of Roman skeletons from this period are therefore extremely rare.” The remains belong exclusively to young males aged between 20 and 30 years, who appear to have been killed in battle, as evidenced by injuries from swords, spears, daggers, and projectile bolts.

Michaela Binder, who led the archaeological dig, noted, “Within the context of Roman acts of war, there are no comparable finds of fighters. Finding the dead is unique for the entire Roman history.” The disorderly arrangement of the skeletons suggests that this was not a formal burial but rather an improvised grave following a violent event.

A construction team renovating a sports field first discovered the remains in October. Credit: Image: A. Slonek/Novetus
A construction team renovating a sports field first discovered the remains in October. Credit: Image: A. Slonek/Novetus

The discovery is linked to the military history of the region, as ancient Vindobona served as a significant military garrison of the Roman Empire. The presence of military artifacts, including a dagger with silver filigree inlays, fragments of scale armor, and spearheads, supports the hypothesis that these individuals were soldiers who fell in battle. This find represents the first direct archaeological evidence of a battle on the Danube Limes, the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

Vienna’s Councilor for Culture and Science, Veronica Kaup-Hasler, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “Each new archaeological discovery allows us to redefine the boundaries of our knowledge. This mass grave offers us a different perspective on Vienna’s early history and underscores the importance of preserving and studying our historical heritage.”

The ongoing research will include DNA and isotope analyses to determine the origins and living conditions of the individuals, potentially providing crucial insights into the composition of Roman troops along the Danube frontier. As archaeologist Michaela Kronberger noted, “We are facing research that could redefine our understanding of the Roman past in this region.”

Dagger found in the pit, and analyzed with X-rays. Credit: L. Hilzensauer, Wien Museum / TimTom, Wien
Dagger found in the pit, and analyzed with X-rays. Credit: L. Hilzensauer, Wien Museum / TimTom, Wien

This unprecedented find not only sheds light on the military conflicts of the Roman Empire but also offers a unique opportunity to explore the early history of Vienna, paving the way for further investigations into the city’s ancient origins.

Stadt Wien

Cover Image Credit: Finding the buried bodies of early Roman soldiers is soldiers is extremely rare. Credit: Reiner Riedler, Wien Museum

Related Articles

Well-Preserved Funerary Enclosures, Mausoleums, and Gladiator Epitaph Discovered in Ancient Roman Colony of Liternum, Italy

22 March 2025

22 March 2025

Recent archaeological excavations in the ancient Roman colony of Liternum, located in present-day Giugliano in Campania, Italy, have unveiled significant...

Researchers have found in miniature ceramic bottles evidence of the oldest known use of cosmetics in the Balkans

14 July 2021

14 July 2021

In miniature ceramic bottles from excavations ascribed to the Lasinja Culture in the Southeast Prealps and the Vinča Culture in...

1500-year-old Elite tombs were discovered vicinity of the ancient seaport of Berenice Troglodytica in Egypt

22 May 2022

22 May 2022

Polish archaeologists have discovered a tomb complex near the ancient port of Berenice Troglodytica in Egypt. Archaeologists from the University...

Archaeologists Uncovered a Terracotta Commander and Warriors at the Mausoleum of China’s First Emperor

12 January 2025

12 January 2025

Archaeologists have unearthed a rare 2,000-year-old statue depicting a high-ranking military commander at the famous Terracotta Army site in China:...

The secret of the mummy in the Crystal coffin found in a garage in San Francisco

30 March 2023

30 March 2023

Mysterious mummies are a symbol of ancient lost times, which we often associate with Egypt and other ancient civilizations. Therefore,...

The discovery of great importance for Urartian archeology in Çavuştepe castle: Discovered a horse skeleton with a bronze curb bit in its jaw

28 September 2023

28 September 2023

Archaeologists unearthed a horse skeleton with a bronze curb bit (a metal piece inserted into its mouth to guide the...

The Stonehenge road tunnel is illegal, according to the High Court

23 June 2021

23 June 2021

The transport secretary’s decision to allow a road tunnel to be built near Stonehenge was unlawful, according to the high...

Declassified CIA Satellite Spy Program Reveals Lost Ancient Roman Forts

26 October 2023

26 October 2023

Archaeologists have discovered “massive” ancient Roman forts that redraw the borders of the ancient empire using images from a declassified...

Thousand-year-old bone skate discovered in Czech Republic

20 March 2024

20 March 2024

Archaeologists from the central Moravian city of Přerov, Czech Republic have announced a unique discovery. While carrying out excavations in...

Researchers measure the impact of Population Pressure on Prehistoric Violence in Japan’s Yayoi Period

23 August 2021

23 August 2021

Are wars part of human nature? Do people tend to fight instinctively or do they war as a result of...

Earliest evidence of forest management discovered at the La Draga Neolithic site in Spain

19 July 2023

19 July 2023

Archaeologists have discovered the earliest evidence of forest management at the La Draga Neolithic site in northeastern Spain. A scientific...

Water Cultu in Hittites and Eflatunpınar Hittite Water Monument

4 February 2021

4 February 2021

The Hittites, which left their mark on the Bronze Age period in Anatolia, is a society that draws attention with...

Excavations in Poland uncover Goth graves filled with ornate jewellery

17 August 2023

17 August 2023

A 2,000-year-old Goth burial site filled with ancient jewels has been discovered in Wda Landscape Park (Wdecki Park Krajobrazowy) near...

Runic Alphabet Symbols in the Tombs Found in the Excavations in Istanbul

23 May 2021

23 May 2021

In the excavations carried out by the Istanbul Archeology Museums in the area where the metro station will be built...

New study reveals unique characteristics and complex origins of late Bronze Age swords discovered in the Balearic Islands

25 November 2024

25 November 2024

A recent study uncovered a wealth of new information regarding the production, material makeup, and cultural significance of Late Bronze...